If nothing else, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should be memorable.
We have already witnessed major upsets with Germany and Belgium packing their bags early while Australia and Morocco have advanced to the Round of 16.
The tournament has been the first to be played in the Middle East, and also the first to take place during the winter months, due to the region’s scorching summer temperatures. The 2022 edition is also the last to feature 32 teams, as FIFA is set to expand the tournament to 48 countries in four years’ time.
Additionally, this is likely the final chapter for a golden generation of players on the world stage, as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years old) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi (35) are nearing the end of their international careers.
While there are plenty of storylines to look forward to, we are here to help you pick out the best World Cup futures bet for the tournament winner, so let’s dig into the 2022 Qatar odds.
World Cup Winner Odds
World Cup odds are current as of Thursday, Dec. 15, at 9 a.m. EST at FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Argentina (+490)
- France (+500)
World Cup Winner Prediction
Argentina (+490)
Wouldn’t this be quite the story?
This will almost surely be Lionel Messi’s last chance to win the World Cup, and after finally conquering Copa América, Argentina looks poised to make a true run at it after exiting in the Round of 16 to eventual champions France four years ago in Russia.
Manager Lionel Scaloni’s side entered the tournament on a 36-match unbeaten run, dating back to a 2019 loss to Brazil in the Copa América semifinals, which they avenged in the 2021 final in Rio. That run ended abruptly in the opening match, a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, but Argentina didn’t panic and saw off Mexico and Poland to top the group.
The flaws of Argentina teams of the past have been the defense and an over-reliance on Messi to produce. Both remain slight concerns, as center back Nicolás Otamendi’s best days are behind him, although Lisandro Martínez is a sturdy presence in the center of defense.
In the attacking third, Messi and Ángel Di María remain influential figures, but they got some help from elsewhere during the group stage. If Argentina is going to win the World Cup, they’ll need more timely goals from the likes of Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and 22-year-old Man City striker Julián Álvarez.
World Cup Winner Best Bet
Argentina (-105)
Wouldn’t this be quite the story?
This will almost surely be Lionel Messi’s last chance to win the World Cup, and after finally conquering Copa América, Argentina looks poised to make a true run at it after exiting in the Round of 16 to eventual champions France four years ago in Russia.
Manager Lionel Scaloni’s side entered the tournament on a 36-match unbeaten run, dating back to a 2019 loss to Brazil in the Copa América semifinals, which they avenged in the 2021 final in Rio. That run ended abruptly in the opening match, a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia, but Argentina didn’t panic and saw off Mexico and Poland to top the group.
The flaws of Argentina teams of the past have been the defense and an over-reliance on Messi to produce. Both remain slight concerns, as center back Nicolás Otamendi’s best days are behind him, although Lisandro Martínez is a sturdy presence in the center of defense.
In the attacking third, Messi and Ángel Di María remain influential figures, but they got some help from elsewhere during the group stage. If Argentina is going to win the World Cup, they’ll need more timely goals from the likes of Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and 22-year-old Man City striker Julián Álvarez.